Asafoetida

My children have dumped this expensive, hard to find, and extremely rank herb all over their playroom. It is amazing how much this little stinky spice gets into your throat. It was dumped during a pretend meal preparation of wooden beads and other random items (I mean pan fried doughnuts and latkes).

Last week, it was soup made from juice that has now created a nice fermented sticky mess all over the toys and floor. But, my daughter would proudly serve this "soup" up in tiny pot after tiny pot. I remember similar "cooking" play when I was young. My mother would get so angry with the things that my siblings and I would take out of the kitchen to add to our concoctions. My sister was hands down the sneakiest when it came to ingredient procurement. My daughter takes after her in this regard.

I can't say that the activity itself is at all irritating. I enjoy being served the miniature meals by the beaming chefs-in-training. However, the stank that has resulted of the most unusual combination of stinky spice and fermented juice is a little much for even the most appreciative customers of the imaginary restaurants. I mean eeewww! It doth reek!

If I had a hammer

I have been out in the wide wide world! Actually, I have been in a small town in Vermont. BUT . . . I have some ideas and I have been sharing them.
One.
I believe I have a nice plan of action for the whole protest and feeding people question. I had begun to throw around the idea of another Breads from Around the World event. I think adding some soups to it and having a soup and bread line would be good. Add in the poetry readings and (what I think is an exciting addition) A public reading/performance of Dr Seuss's Better Butter Battle! Well, I have since found another book at the library titled "Everyone Bakes Bread".

Last time I had this event I did it with Rachel in Olympia before she went to Palestine. So, it is important (for me) to make sure there is similar success. It would be personally significant if we had plenty of doves present. In Olympia we had some elementary school classes participate and I think that is really one of the ways it can be most effective. I am new to Brattleboro, and hope I could get some schools to participate. I will do my best. The addition of soups will add to it and there is already a food drive in town we could collect for. Anyway - the gears are turning - and I already have some interest from others in making it happen.

Two.
I believe I may have the beginnings of a critique group. I don't yet know if it will fly but, I am hopeful!

Three.
I am having quite a lot of conversation with gallery members about changes to the space and other possible changes (administrative, the resource center, etc. . . )

Four.
I have begun to look for childcare options for Sim. This seems a far more daunting task than any of the above mentioned "projects". Expense, Schedule, Curriculum, Location . . . it is all important. Where is the majic nanny fairy that appears when you need him?

Well, Ari is studying and taking finals from yesterday til next Wednesday. He is taking a tea break at the moment so, I should take a moment with him.

By the By . . . he made doughnuts for Chanukah! . . . the first "Ari's vegan doughnuts" in quite some time, and let me tell you -- YU UH UM! The children had a wonderful eight nights of candle lighting and treats. I am looking forward to Solstice. I am looking forward to the return of the light.